Hai Ki Xin Lor: Acknowledging Penang Hokkien

by Julia Tan

Pictures by Joie Koo.

This August, the George Town Festival will close with an original play that celebrates the Penang tongue.

“Penangites are an eccentric and distinctive bunch,” says Saw Teong Hin with a grin. He’s talking in regards to his own play. At its launch in June, Saw revealed that he believes “Hai Ki Xin Lor”, or in English, “You Mean the World to Me”, is relatable to everyone, but would resound especially with Penangites. His creation will be the closing event of the George Town Festival, and promises melodrama, comedy, romance and, above all, a display of family values and sacrifice for the common good.

And it’s all performed in Penang Hokkien.

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